User reviews

It is one of the few Christmas love story movies that isn't too sappy. It does help it to be the holiday season to watch it. The cast is composed of familiar faces and it is interesting to see the beautiful Ms. Helfer in a different setting. The male leads are well acted as well. Another Hallmark Channel production to go along with their Christmas themed movies that is filmed in Canada with a large Canadian supporting cast. If you like country music this has a few Christmas songs with a country accent. It is slow to start but by ten minutes into the movie it picks up speed and is good enough that you won't be checking your watch. All in all an enjoyable Christmas movie.

It's the Hallmark's version of The Holiday. Perfect for a relaxing weekend. Ok acting. Nice views.

"You woke me up, Ryan. You made me realize that if I'm always planning for the future, I won't be present for it when it comes. You showed me how to be present." I think that's the quote gsuddy914 was looking for.

Though it's a story line that has been done before, it wasn't a bad production. I've seen other Hallmark Christmas productions that I enjoyed much more, but it was still a nice movie. The only thing that started to bug me was J.T. Hodges, who played Owen, side burns. There are some shots in the movie when he is in profile and his sideburns look as if they are colored in with a brown marker. It doesn't even come close to his hair color and looks as if there are two streaks on each side, not that close together. It kind of threw me out of the movie a bit after I noticed it.

All in all, not the best but still a nice movie for the holiday.

There has never been any bias for or against Hallmark Christmas films. Actually think there are a mix of good, bad (and worse in some cases) and somewhere between mediocre and decent, so it's a variable output really. One just needs to know what to expect and not to expect too much. Have also had any bias for this genre and the two leads are no strangers to good performances even in hit and miss film choices. Did like the idea for the story, although the structure is samey the setting is a departure to the usual ones seen.

'Finding Christmas' is a very pleasant watch and when taken for what it is and meant to be it succeeds at what it set out to do. Expectations were mixed, they were met and exceeded. Hallmark titles can be corny and sugary, but the title for this film is quite profound-sounding one. As far as Hallmark Christmas films go, 'Finding Christmas' is somewhere in the high middle and certainly one of the better efforts from that year. This opinion is from judging the film on its own terms without comparing it to anything else, so am not saying (never have, never will do) that it is on par with something else that has gotten the same rating that will make some scoff.

Is it flawless? No. The structure of the film and what happens is very familiar territory for Hallmark so there is a seen it all before vibe throughout. The ending is heart-warming, but also a bit too tidy.

Hallmark films do tend to be over-scored and that was the case here with 'Finding Christmas' at times. Christina Rosato is a little stiff at times and some of the dialogue is on the sugary side.

On the other hand, so much is good here. It at least looks nice and professional. Although the authenticity of the locations can be questioned, the scenery still looks lovely and appropriately festive, complemented very nicely by the photography. Enough of the soundtrack is nostalgic and JT Hodges sings beautifully. The direction is sympathetic without going through the motions.

Moreover, the dialogue does improve quite a bit later on, it is tighter and less stilted and the cheese and sentiment isn't as much. The story is very predictable admittedly, but it still engaged me and was charming and heart-warming while not taking itself too seriously. The characters may be well worn cliches, but they came over to me as likeable enough and any negative character traits didn't come over as over the top like can be the case in Hallmark Christmas films. One of 'Finding Christmas' biggest pleasures is Tricia Helfer, who gives a very sincere and charming performance. The rest of the cast are good and the chemistry natural, only Rosato isn't quite there.

Concluding, pleasant film. 6/10.

This started out very cute, with 2 guys switching houses. You know they will both find love, but 2 stories in 90 minutes is too much story with not enough time. They fall in love fast, without knowing much about the other at all. The story switches back and both between the characters. Then there are the extra empty-headed bimbos who swoop in to break everyone up. Cheesy. Still entertaining, but won't watch again.

I like this movie. Everyone is good. The story is ok overall. Nice scenery. The problem I have is that when you least expect it Owen starts singing and it is the same song. Less would have been better.

I loved this movie, like most Hallmark movies. This one especially made me think a little more about certain issues in my own life and relationship. There was a quote towards the end of the movie and I can't remember the entire verbatim quote. Hope someone can reply. It started with something to the nature of "Preparing for the future and not focusing on the present"--I know these are not the exact words, but it sure hit home with me. It made me realize that preparing and focusing so much on the future can sure make you not see what's in front of you at the present time, and I believe that is what the message of the quote was. If anyone can please post the entire quote on here, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Happy New Year

Way to bring in the Christmas spirit and renew your belief that you can find love again.

If you enjoyed the book-to movie, "Home For the Holidays",( Debbie Macomber's, "When Christmas Comes"), from the Hallmark Channel, you will love this semi-similar storyline from a male perspective. This film captures the drama and sentiment of a novel without being overly "corny" or obnoxious.

There is nothing I enjoy more than a romance story set at Christmas time.

Two men, from very opposite styles of living swap places. Each looking to fulfill their lives, they look outside of themselves and their comfort zones...

The rest of the story is for you to enjoy, and hopefully, watch year after year, as I intend to do.

In one of the many take-offs on the popular flick The Holiday, Finding Christmas features a house swap. Those stories are always so interesting, because the characters meet new people, take risks, and of course, fall in love when they least expect it. Who expects to fall in love while on vacation? (Thanks to these movies, now everyone does.)

Mark Lutz is the big city workaholic who needs to decompress in a small town. J. T. Hodges, an aspiring country singer and part-time handyman has quite a culture shock awaiting him when he rents Mark's apartment. Not everyone's so friendly, and some people are quite shallow. J. T. Is a total heartthrob, winning over every girl in town (and the audience) when he performs an impromptu song at a restaurant. Cristina Rosato is taken with him, but even though she's not the only one, she might be the one with the truest heart.

In the country, Mark learns the valuable lesson of slowing down. Tricia Helfer, friend and co-worker of J. T., teaches him a lot of small-town charm. Even though they're total opposites, they find romance - but will it last longer than a vacation? If you liked the original Hollywood version, you'll probably find this Hallmark take-off charming. It's pretty similar, except with two men in the leads instead of two women.

Basically the movie The Holiday where the men switch instead of the ladies, and in different cities....

Let's get one thing clear: when I'm watching a Christmas romantic comedy I don't expect a cinematic masterpiece, just entertainment.

And in that category the movie delivers.

It's the little details that bug me: the girl fixes the gas valve and examines a horse wearing fancy red coat with a white scarf. A guy picks up a guitar and starts playing without checking if it's tuned. Some extras that awkwardly just stand in the scene without saying a word (like the guy holding the said horse). Apparently just 2 people living in an entire building... etc. Just a few tweaks would make this a lot more realistic.

Overall - not bad for what it is. Acting is OK, the plot is predictable and not original but pleasant. Just pure holiday fun if you don't nitpick too much.

Due to this being an older movie for the network, it definitely starts out pretty bad & I'm sure some people will stop watching because it's cheesy & it has a few bad acting scenes. It's also different than most Hallmark movies because it's not the 1 main couple from the beginning, it's 2 stories in 1. This now happens a lot more where they try to feature 2-3 total couples per movie, overdone a little IMO though trying to achieve PC.

J. T. Hodges & Cristina Rosato aren't the best actors in the world but they were the only reason to watch this movie, way more chemistry than 5 Hallmark movies combined. A few scenes with them are better than 90% of most of the movies made in the last 3 years & that type of connection is what they should be trying to achieve in every movie, but rarely do.

The other couple isn't as good, mainly due to the bad acting & lack of chemistry.

I don't give out high scores for these movies because of the obvious flaws but it is 1 of my favorites, I encourage you to check this one out if you haven't seen it yet.

Considering readers have read the plot above...

I watched this movie recently, and all I primarily remember is Tricia Helfer's ("Ryan," the vet) big TEETH!

In the great majority of scenes when she was with "Owen,"...(which was the majority of the movie)...with EVERY line she had...and did not have...she kept smiling......NO matter what their conversation was about. The very few times she did not smile, she kept her mouth open to show her TEETH.

I love cheerful movies, however, I found her character...her acting...to be UNREALISTIC...and therefore distracting and annoying throughout...because in reality, no one smiles with almost EVERYthing he/she says.....not even the characters in comedies....

...and although not a drama, but since there was nothing intentionally funny...or so continuously / outstandingly cheerful...her expressions, unfortunately, were over the top and therefore, not consistent with the movie's intention.

We have two love stories in this Christmas romance. The story is unusual in that sense, especially since the two are related but take place several states apart.

The first gem is Tricia Helfer. I've seen her as a solid actress in a lot of things, but in this one she really drew me into the story. I thought especially that if you contrast Helfer's sincerity with either of the rival girls, you could see Ryan's love. Meanwhile you could clearly see in contrast that, even Kimber, played well by Brittany Gray, wasn't sincere as she professed her love for Owen. It was good acting by both Helfer and Gray. Jessica Phillips, as Halo, was a little more obvious what she wanted.

I wish I thought that Mark Lutz, the beau opposite Helfer, was as good as her. Not bad, just not as good.

The other gem is the singing of J.T. Hodges. I love these Christmas movies when a talented star sings. His character, Owen, was in the other love story with Mia. Hodges was good in his acting, again not as good as Helfer. As for the last main player, I thought that Cristina Rosato delivered a lot of her lines stiffly.

This is one Hallmark movie where the kid didn't steal the show, nor was he intended to. He was cute, but really not central to the story.

The story was mostly straight forward. We expect some roadblock on the way to happiness, and both romances got one.

Very entertaining. Plot is not the usual. Characters and actors are all great. If you want a relaxing feel good movie, this is it.

The singing by TJ Hodges makes the movie. It has an interesting plot line and I enjoyed it.

The reason to watch, Cristina & Trisha!

Gorgeous.

I really do love this movie, but living just down the road from the real Butters, NC the town on the movie has absolutely nothing in common except for the name lol but the story is great

I mean seriously. This movie is do scrumptious from beginning to end. The music is awesome. The acting well ... my goodness gracious JTHodges, you are easy on the eyes young man. You can act, sing. Wow. This Christmas story is so much better than most! Yea for RoBo Reindeer. I watched this show, then I hit up google to find out where hallmark had been hiding you. This is a great movie.

Whoever didn't like this movie must either be the Grinch or Scrooge.